Global Lens, Small Town Heart | Ashlea Snell’s Photography Journey

What does it actually look like to travel the world for work — and still choose northwest Georgia as home?Ashlea Snell of Snell Photography has photographed weddings and commercial shoots across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond — with her work featured in People, Gardening Gun, and the New York Times. But when it came time to plant roots, she and her husband Tyler chose Dalton, Georgia. In this conversation, Ashlea opens up about building a business from a tax refund and a borrowed camera, the moment Tyler almost lost a $5,000 drone over the ocean in Maui, and why she believes the community you're looking for might just be waiting for you to reach out first. She also shares her heart for kids in foster care and how anyone — not just foster parents — can make a difference in Whitfield County.HighlightsAshlea was one of the earliest supporters of the Dalton magazine, and her photography has been central to its vision from the startShe and Tyler built their photography business from a single tax refund during their senior year of college — and booked 32 weddings in their first yearThe Snells moved to the Dalton area six years ago during COVID, drawn by proximity to family, Atlanta's airport, and nonstop international flightsThey renovated a home in Dalton's historic district — essentially taking it down to the studsAshlea has volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for Whitfield County for three years, advocating for children in foster careThere are currently over 150 kids in foster care in Whitfield County — and there are many ways to help beyond becoming a foster parentAshlea's kids are already budding entrepreneurs: one is investing in stocks, another sold homemade hand sanitizer to classmates, and they're eyeing a table at the local farmer's marketThe Let Them theory by Mel Robbins reframed how Ashley thinks about building community — don't wait, just reach outAshlea's favorite local spots include Native Kitchen, El Maguey, and Table 43The Snells attend church in Chattanooga but say leaving Dalton is hard to imagine — the community they've built keeps them rootedChapters0:00 — Meet Ashlea Snell1:29 — How We Connected2:33 — Moving to Dalton4:00 — Downtown Home Life5:46 — Hawaii Drone Drama9:05 — Dalton Magazine Vision9:49 — Starting the Photography Business13:41 — Favorite Destinations15:40 — Why Dalton Feels Like Home16:59 — Dalton Food Favorites18:44 — Old Text Tease19:05 — Brand Photos Memories20:04 — Art and Community Investment20:15 — CASA Foster Care Advocacy23:24 — Wild Photo Shoot Story25:20 — Favorite Local Finds25:48 — Farmers Markets and Gardening26:39 — Kids Entrepreneurship Lessons29:03 — Staying in Dalton29:51 — Community Building Mindset32:07 — Closing Plugs and Local LoveResourcesSnell Photography — Follow on Instagram at @thesnells_Native Kitchen — Ashlea's go-to local coffee and dining spot in DaltonEl Maguey — Local Dalton restaurant recommended by AshleaTable 43 — Dalton restaurant; Ashley's recent first visit was a hitThe Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins — Book Ashlea referenced on building community; available hereDalton Farmer's Market — Mentioned as a local favoriteRinggold Farmer's Market (Rabbit Valley) — A nearby market the Snell family also visitsFollow the show:Instagram: @behere.daltonFacebook: Here MagazineLinkedIn: Here Local MediaThanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!